7 Symptoms of Salmonella That You Need to Know

So far, 2018 has seen no less than one dozen outbreaks of salmonella here in the U.S., and no food category is safe. Ten of them have been linked to food items with some of the most recent being raw turkey and Honey Smacks cereal.

The CDC conducted investigations into each of the outbreaks which led to the agency discovering that people were falling ill in multiple states. In many of the reported cases, young children and elderly individuals have been affected and a percentage of patients were also hospitalized.

With all these products being recalled, how do you know if you’ve eaten something that is tainted? There are various strains of salmonella, and a person may or may NOT be symptomatic if infected. Symptoms typically appear within 8 to 24 hours, and can feel like the stomach flu. Learn what they are down below!

Here are some of the most common signs of an infection:

Diarrhea

It can last anywhere from a couple of days up to ten days or more. In most cases, there will be no blood in the stool.

Cook eggs and raw meats thoroughly, and do not consume raw dairy products.

Wash produce thoroughly and make sure to store it away from raw meats.

Do not handle and do not let children handle reptiles or birds as they are highly likely to carry the bacteria.

Salmonella may take a few weeks to clear up. Not everyone requires medical intervention as the infection often clears up on its own. However, children, pregnant women, and the elderly should be seen by a medical professional for proper treatment. Severe cases may require antibiotics.

Are you on alert for salmonella signs? Have you had to dispose of any recalled food products due to salmonella? Do you know anyone who’s ever been ill due to an infection?